The group, called Citizens for Constitutional Freedom, said it was protesting to protect land rights and oppose the policies of the federal Bureau of Land Management.

The occupiers remained 30 miles from the nearest town, Burns, having taken over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The situation began Saturday after a protest in support of father-and-son ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond, who were sent back to prison Monday to serve the remainder of five-year sentences for committing arson on public land.

“The wildlife refuge has been a tool that government has used for many years to take the land and resources away from the people,” Ammon Bundy, a leader of the armed takeover, told “CBS This Morning.”

“The people of this county are being abused and they’re being prosecuted because they’re not willing to sell to the federal government, and it’s just one of those things that just cannot continue.”

Don’t have time to read the Washington Post or New York Times? Then get The Morning Bell, an early morning edition of the day’s most important political news, conservative commentary and original reporting from a team committed to following the truth no matter where it leads.

Email address

Ever feel like the only difference between the New York Times and Washington Post is the name? We do. Try the Morning Bell and get the day’s most important news and commentary from a team committed to the truth in formats that respect your time…and your intelligence.